Composition material



Patented Nov. 3, 19.31

UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE A PAUL BECHTNEB, OF OHICAGG, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNORTO AMERICAN COLLOID COHPANYt OI LEAD, SOUTH DAKOTA, ACORPORATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA oomrosrrion MATERIAL .11 Drawing.

The present. invention": relates to a composite material andmoreparticularly to a is to providea material which may be prodnced atlow cost and may be formed into a body comfparatively light in weight,rigid and g durable,

re-resistlng and vermin-proof, and of low conductivity for heat andsound, which is adapted for use in refrigerators, cold storage plants,furnaces, around pi es, hot-water tanks, boilers, under floors, roo s,and in and on walls and the likee I Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a dry mixture of bentonite and vermiculite,which uponthe addition of water at the place of use may be formed intoarticles, such as slabs, tile, etc., or plastered on walls and ceilings,and which upon airdryin will set to forma new and .improved insu atingand acoustic material.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insulatingmaterial and acoustic which may be plastered upon walls and ceilings andwhen air-dried will adhere strongly without the addition of organicbinders.

This composite material has for its chief ingredients bentonite'andheat-treated vermiculite, which is a form of mica that expands, greatlyon heating, forming lightspongy masses that withstand high temperatures.vermiculite is also known as jefferisite, and is sometimes sold underthe trade-name of Zonolite. I

The bentonite used may be the ordinary comminuted bentonite of commerce,or there may be added to ordinary comminuted bentonite 4% up to 1 ofmagnesium oxide A or caustic calcined magnesite which improves thegel-forming properties of bentonite when wet.

The vermiculite is heated to expel its water Application filed January8, 1881. Serial No. 508,508.

"finer particles may be'used with good results. The bentonite andvermiculite are mixed tissues of crystallization and to expand it, andit is then comminuted and screened, or air-separated, or may be used asit comes from the furnace.

It has been found that a desirable sine of w expanded vermiculite foruse in the present composition is that which has been screened to removeparticles finer. than 20 mesh and coarser than 6 mesh. However, coarseror dry, water is then added in sufficient quantity to make a workablesticky mass, which is then formed into slabs, tile, etc., or applied toa surface and air-dried. When air-dried, its weight is 26 to 28 poundsper cubic foot.

The addition of caustic uncalcined magnes1te or magnesium oxide to thebentonitevermiculite mixture improves the stickiness and workability ofthe composition.

Asbestos may be added to either of the above mixtures and improves thestrength of the composition.

It has also been found very advantageous to add mineral wool to themixture, since this ingredient also increases the strength of thematerial.

Mineral coloring matter may be, added to the mixture for decorativeurposes, or it may be painted, or stained, a ter drying.

Without desiring to restrict myself to the proportions named I will nowgive four examples of the mixtures for forming the composition whichwill exhibit the advantages of my invention: 30

Mixture Mixture Mixture Mixture No.1 No.2v No.3 No.4

oommin uahewnm .Q. 32 a2 a2 a2 Expandedmiculite 68 68 46 46 Minomlwool22 15 'sbpgtos Magnesium oxide or caustic calcined magaesite. 0.3 0. 30. 3 Water 150 I50 150 The mixture may be made up in dry form as dryingit shrinks greatly, but does not regain all its original solidity; henceis lighter, and the air pores thus formed contribute to its sound andheat insulating properties. Used alone, these effects are too sli ht tobe of commercial value, but when mixed wet, with mineral wool orheat-treated vermiculite or both, the pore-forming properties of theresulting dried body are intensified.

My composition has to be wetted to make it sticky and when wetted itadheres strongly to plaster walls, glass, metal (hot or cold), enamelledsurfaces and wood as it dries and after drying. This adhesive propertyis one of the chief reasons for its economy and ease of application, andis attained without the use of an organic adhesive.

My composition may be painted to render the surface to some extentwaterproof, or it may be coated with waterproof bitumens as is done withthe insulating blocks used in refrigerators.

My composition has sufficient elasticity to absorb the expansionandcontraction of the surface to which it is attached without cracking.

The bright gold color of the vermiculite imparts a pleasing and unusualdecorative effect. A coat of light varnish may be applied to improvesurface adhesion and keep the color bright.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States is 1. A composite materialcomprising a. rigid mass comprising comminuted heat-treated vermiculite,bentonite, and water.

2. A composite material comprising a rigid mass comprising heat-treatedvermiculite, bentonite, mineral wool, and water.

3. A composite material comprising a rigid mass comprising heat-treatedvermiculite, bentonite. asbestos, and water.

4. A composite material comp-rising a rigid mass comprising,heat-treated vermiculite, bentonite, asbestos, mineral wool,-and water.

A composite material comprising a rigid mass comprising vermiculite,bentonite, and water.

6. A composite material comprising a rigid mass comprising comminutedheat-treated vermiculite, bentonite, water and magnesium oxide.

7. A composite material comprisinga rigid mass comprising heat-treatedvermiculite, bentonite, mineral wool. water. and caustic calcinedmagnesite.

8. A composite materialcomprising a rigid mass comprising heat-treatedvermiculite,

esa-2:2 3

PAUL BECHTNER.

